We are within 100 days until we kick off the 2018 college football season. Well, it’s 83 to be exact, but who’s counting? The Big 12 Conference has a slew of great non-conference games that will get fans juiced up for the conference schedule, which begins as early as mid-September for some teams. Heartland College Sports’ Pete Mundo and Derek Duke will be taking you through the top 10 non-conference games on the Big 12 football schedule, ranking from No. 10 down to No. 1. Let’s get to it!

This should be a solid test to see where the Cowboys are heading into Big 12 play. After playing two cupcakes to start off the season (Missouri State & South Alabama), this is by far the best non-conference game on the schedule. The biggest question we all have is who will be the quarterback for the Cowboys? Grad transfer Dru Brown or freshman Spencer Sanders? Also, how will the defense look under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles? Over the last five years, Oklahoma State has won at least ten games four times. Will the success continue, or will the Cowboys take a step back this season?

We all know Boise State has been probably the best group of five program over the last decade or so and I don’t think that will change anytime soon. The Broncos were Mountain West champions in 2017 and head coach Bryan Harsin has every intention on repeating. The offense returns senior quarterback Brett Rypien, but they do lose a few key pieces offensively. However, the defense may be the best in the entire group of five. As usual, this will be another very good Boise State team that can knock off almost anyone on any given day.

There are quite a few great games across the Big 12 the same day that this game will be played, but let me tell you, if you are a Big 12 fan, don’t let this one get lost in the shuffle! Both teams will likely enter this game 2-0 and for Boise State this could be a key win to find themselves in a New Year’s six bowl game. As for Oklahoma State, this will be a HUGE confidence boost heading into Big 12 play if they take care of business.